GERMAN, PROBABLY NUREMBERG, CIRCA 1550-70

細節

A HINGED STEEL AND VELVET ALMS BAG
German, probably Nuremberg, circa 1550-70
The steel frame finely etched with foliate scrollwork on all exposed sides and inscribed on one side 'OMNIA.SEMPRI.ORDIT.NOVIS.DOMINUS. NEMINI.ERGO.DABIT.UNQUAM.MINUS'; the interior of one compartment inscribed, on the velvet, with two inventory numbers 'VA 337' and 'T33'; the interior of each of the compartments inscribed with Roman numerals from I-VI; with two steel keys and the exterior with further compartment with draw-string.
The velvet worn in places and probably later, and with some modern stitching; minor repair to clasp.
21 in. (53.3 cm.) high
12 in. (30.3 cm.) wide

來源

Barons Nathaniel (1836-1905) and Albert (1844-1911) von Rothschild, and thence by decent.

注意事項

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

拍品專文

This lot once formed part of the collection of the Barons Nathaniel and Albert von Rothschild (1836-1905 and 1844-1911, respectively), members of the Austrian branch of the celebrated dynasty. These brothers, great-grandsons of Mayer Amschel Rothschild, the founder of the family fortunes in the 18th century, put together impressive collections of paintings, furniture and works of art, which they housed in sumptuous palaces almost opposite each other in Vienna. The collections were confiscated at the time of the German Anschluss, and remained in Austrian museums until relatively recently, when they were restored to the heirs of Nathaniel and Albert. A number of items from this collection were sold together as a single owner sale in these Rooms, 8 July 1999.

This bag is part of the tradition of etched steel objects, particularly caskets, which were produced in centres such as Nuremberg in the 16th and early 17th centuries. The present example, which is notable for its large size, was presumably commissioned by an important monastery or guild. The latin inscription can be translated as 'The Lord has always given all things to us. To none, therefore, shall he ever give less'.